episode_0046

“A lot has changed. When I was young, I was like a gentleman. Haven’t you become quite manly?”

“I have nothing to say. Kill it.”

“If necessary, I could kill you. But not yet. because… ”

Leona’s eyes stopped on Bernardis. His dance was truly overwhelming. And I heard that Bernardis is only loyal to the Letless family.

“Because you too will be useful.”

“I don’t know what it will be useful for, but it won’t work as I want.”

“You’ll have to see to find out.”

Leona laughed lowly. She couldn’t wait to see what would happen next.

—–

“Franz Mayer. You made a major again this time.”

At my lord’s words, I quietly lowered my head.

“If it weren’t for you, my plan would have been greatly delayed.”

“If it’s a plan… ”

“Unification of the world.”

also. Leona aims to unify the world. It was just like in the original history.

“Aren’t you surprised?”

“Yes. I was expecting it to some extent… ”

“Really? If so, guess the reason.”

“As the turbulence continues, countless people are dying from war, hunger, and plunder. This situation has continued chronically for 50 years. Since there is no sign of an end, aren’t you saying you’re going to prescribe extreme medication?”

Then the lord looked rather surprised.

“How did you know?”

“Is it okay for a subject to not be able to read his lord’s mind?”

Then her eyes started to turn red. She turned her head. Why all of a sudden? Didn’t I say anything?

“Why, why are you like that?”

“No. Something got in my eye.”

What kind of ridiculous lie are you telling? Just by looking at it, I saw that there were tears in my eyes.

But the man Lee Si-woo… No, Franz Mayer. He is not tactful enough to ask about a woman’s tears.

After waiting for a while, pretending not to notice, she straightened her face and spoke again.

“Yes. War in this world never ends. It’s been 50 years since the turbulent times began, and there is no sign of it ending. Then, if I unify the world into one, wouldn’t war disappear?”

Her idea is right. That’s because in the original story, thanks to her laying the foundation for unification, the next monarch unified the world, bringing about a peaceful world for the next 365 years.

‘However, the problem is… ‘

She dies without achieving that dream. Due to a subordinate’s rebellion. And that subordinate is among those who participated in this battle.

I feel sorry for Leona. Although she had outstanding talent, she came from an unfortunate family background. Because of this, I didn’t know how to receive love and I didn’t know how to give love.

Even just one person. If just one person had understood her, wouldn’t she have committed mass murder and people wouldn’t have rebelled?

“Master.”

When I called her, she answered with a smile unlike usual.

“What was it? My subject.”

“I will not abandon my lord no matter what happens. so… ”

Her face turned red. I continued.

“Master, do not abandon your people.”

If you abandon your people, you will be abandoned by them.

—–

next day. The lord summoned the leaders of the Letlis family to the castle. Starting with Walter von Letlis, the two greatest heroes of the Gray family. And 20 high-ranking officials, including Victor, were gathered together with their upper bodies tied.

Leona, who was sitting on the simple throne of the Letless family, spoke.

“I was very impressed with your performance.”

But the prisoners said nothing.

“You guys were very powerful. He was capable and brave. If I had been just a little bit wrong, I might have lost.”

“… ”

“That’s why I can’t keep you all alive. Do you understand?”

Leona’s question. Some people understand and some do not. Leona approached Walter and asked.

“Friend. You understand, right?”

“If you keep all of Letless’s vassals alive, they can become an indigenous force and aim for recapture.”

“That’s right. I am afraid of you. The fact is that if you are left alone, you might plan a rebellion. That’s why I can’t save all of you. Everything.”

Leona grinned.

“I will save only 10 people.”

At those words, a look of puzzlement appeared on the faces of the Letless vassals.

“20 people here. I will spare only 10 of them. How is it?”

“Good! kill me! Instead, my lord… Please save Walter!”

An old man named Victor shouted. At this, Walter stood up and shouted.

“No, this defeat was entirely my fault. I’m going to die.”

“No! In hindsight, it was my fault for leaving the front door empty!”

“I’m going to die!”

The Lettlis vassals stand up to each other and shout that they are going to die. But only one person sat quietly. His name is…

“What about you?”

“This is Vincent Gray, Walter’s advisor.”

“Gray?”

“I am a cousin of Bernardis Gray.”

“I don’t know a guy like you!”

“… ”

Leona asked with an interested expression.

“Why don’t you ask me to kill you?”

“Because I want to live.”

“Want to live?”

“Yes. I like alcohol, women, and hanging out all night in brothels. If I die today, I will go to hell and there will be no brothels in hell, so I just want to live as long as possible.”

“You scumbag!”

Bernardis shouted. Other Letless vassals also jeered at Vincent.

“Hahaha! He is an honest guy. I get it. I’ll save you, go left.”

When Leona pointed in the opposite direction with her finger, Vincent quickly got up and ran away. When Bernardis saw that, his blood pressure rose so much that he almost collapsed.

“Is there no one else who wants to live?”

There was silence. No one tried to stand up first. But Leona knew.

‘It’s crowd psychology. Right now, the person next to you isn’t waking up, so you won’t wake up either, but if you give it a little shake, one or two people will wake up, and then everyone will wake up like a flood.’

Leona has already done this several times. Therefore, I knew very well what would happen in the future.

“I don’t think everyone understood it well. listen carefully. I will choose 9 people I want to live with from now on. Vincent takes one seat first. There are only 9 digits left. Do you understand? You can live just by taking a few steps. I will preserve your family name and give you some territory in the Duchy of Letlis. Of course, autonomy cannot be guaranteed.”

“… !”

“9 people. Of these, only 9 can survive. Anyone who wants to live should immediately go to the left.”

Leona pointed towards Vincent with her finger. Leona thought.

‘Actually, there is no guarantee that you will survive by going to the left.’

Left and right are just symbols. All Leona wanted was to accurately divide the group into 10 out of 10 people. And Leona was planning to save the one with Bernardis among the 10 people. If Bernardis betrayed, the one who betrayed would be spared, and if Bernardis did not betray, the one who did not betray would be spared on the pretext that the traitor could not be trusted. So, rather than trying to survive, they should try to make choices like Bernardis.

‘Bernadis’ inaction is the strongest. I definitely want to have an author.’

That’s why I acted like this. It’s not a simple game like before.

Of course, there was also an intention to make some of Letless’s vassals betray and make them not trust each other and reduce their power.

“What do you do? Move quickly. Are you really saying that there is no one who wants to live? In addition to saving your life, it is an opportunity to achieve success.”

“… ”

“… ”

There was silence. No one could open their mouths. Meanwhile, veteran Victor opened his mouth.

“Mr. Walter.”

Walter turned his head towards Viktor. Victor continued.

“Survive. The Letlis family exists because of Walter. Please keep the Letlis family alive and rise again someday.”

“… ”

Of course, Leona had no intention of leaving it that way, but this trend wasn’t bad. If Walter, the leader among them, moves first, it will be easier for others to move as well. but…

“I don’t like it.”

“… ?”

“When we die, we all die together. That is the teaching of Letlis that I learned from my grandfather.”

“… ”

Crying broke out from one side. Soon the crying spread to other retainers and the hall became a sea of tears. Vincent was the only one sitting with his legs spread out and leaning against the pillar with a grin on his face.

“Yes. We are all together when we live, and we are together when we die. That is the Letless Vassals!”

Viktor shouted and the others said, yes, yes! He agreed. Leona was just taken aback by this.

‘Are you sure no one betrays you? no one?’

One person betrayed him, but that guy clearly became less of a person. Except for that one weakling, none of the others seemed to betray him.

“Give me one last chance. Move to the left right now and I will spare your life!”

“Kill this guy! We are not afraid of death! Just remember one thing! In hell, we are your seniors, so treat us with respect!”

“Hahaha!”

In the end, no one moved left. The group was not divided into groups of 10 and 10.

‘What should I do with this…’ ‘

Leona was embarrassed. I knew that Letless’s vassals had a strong bond, but I didn’t know it would be to this extent.

‘Would you rather kill them all?’

That could also be a number. At that moment, one person comes to mind.

‘okay. ‘Let’s ask Franz Mayer.’

In difficult times, the only thing you could rely on was a trustworthy tactician.